Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart

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Points of Pride

Fast Facts 2009-10

  • 395 students come to SHA from 26 school districts
  • Full Time Faculty:  34  Part Time: 11  Staff :  27  
  • Faculty/student ratio:  1:10
  • Number of  Sisters of St. Francis: 8
  • Number of SHA alumnae on faculty and staff:  12

Notable Accomplishments

  • Jennifer M. Demert, Esq., was appointed Head of School on July 1, 2008, becoming the fifteenth woman to lead SHA.   Ms. Demert is a magna cum laude graduate of St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN, and received her law degree, magna cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School.
  • The 98 members of the Class of 2009 were awarded more than $16.2 million in academic scholarships and awards to some of the top colleges and universities across the country. 93% of our seniors were offered monetary awards.
  • Business First named two of our seniors to the 2009 All-Western New York Academic team, the top 100 students identified as the best and brightest seniors in the eight-county region.  Mary Stoettle was one of only 25 seniors on the first team.  SHA was one of only three Catholic high schools to be represented in this exclusive group. Christina Douglas was one of just 50 WNY students selected for Special Mention.
  • Sacred Heart is among the Top 10 High Schools (out of 131) in Business First 2009-10 Guide to Western New York Schools. SHA is one of only nine schools featured in the “subject sweep” article, having received recognition in three academic areas (Mathematics, Social Studies and English/Foreign Language). Our mastery rate (85% or higher) places SHA in the top 2% of all ranked schools.  Our percentage of students graduating with Advanced Designation Diplomas (86%) in 2009 places SHA in the top 2% of all ranked schools.  In addition, SHA’s Regents passing rates of 99% in English, 100% Math A, 99% Global Studies and 100% U.S. History also puts us in the Top 3 schools (2%) for these results.
  • In 2009 Nancy Brady, English teacher and Mock Trial coach, was awarded the prestigious Singer Family Prize for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching from the University at Rochester.  The award was established to recognize outstanding secondary school teachers for the vital role they play in the intellectual development of American society. 
  • Sacred Heart Academy placed first for the second year in a row in “MoneySKILL Mania,” a financial literacy competition for high school students sponsored by the University at Buffalo School of Management and M & T Bank.  The curriculum is a requirement for all AP government students.
  • The Mock Trial team once again captured the Erie County Championship defeating defending champion Clarence High School. This was the fifth time in six years that the SHA team was one of the top two teams in the county.
  • 25 SHA Seniors were a part of SHA’s Career Internship Program in 2008-09.  Placements included Roswell Park Immunology Laboratory, Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Estee Lauder, Law Office of Steven Sugarman, Law Office of Debra Hayden, Canisius College Athletic Training Department, Roswell Park Public Relations, Roswell Park Pharmacy, Amherst Middle School, University at Buffalo Department of Admissions, and Daybreak Productions.
  • The Class of 2009 had 18 seniors who were eligible for the Buffalo News Scholar-Athlete Recognition (fall sports). In order to be nominated, students must have a 3.6 average and play a varsity sport.  Eight of our seniors were chosen, the largest number for any high school in Western New York.  Three were chosen for winter sports and eight (of eight nominated) for spring sports.  Three seniors were three time winners (appearing for each season).
  • Technology improvements continue to be an annual priority. The recent purchase of five additional Smartboards for a total of 24, allows faculty to fully integrate their curriculum with the latest in advanced technology and information. We have also installed a new network allowing fast 1000 mb speeds, added a wireless network, and purchased 21 Hewlett Packard computers for the lab. Twenty-five laptops are available in the Library/Media Center.
  • SHA offers nine Advanced Placement courses including four in the sciences, along with a wide range of electives including practical law, acrylic and collage, and public speaking.   Thirty three percent of our students enrolled in an AP course during 2008-09. SHA also offers six college level courses for which students can earn college credits.
  • SHA offers 21 team and club level sports to ensure student involvement and physical well-being.  During the 2008-09 season, golf, junior varsity soccer, freshwomen (tie), junior varsity and varsity basketball teams, along with junior varsity and varsity (tie) softball teams, were the Monsignor Martin League champions in their respective sports.
  • The Learning Center is a full service resource center.  Students conduct independent study, prepare for PSAT and SAT tests, and receive tutoring from SHA faculty and peers.
  • The Footprints Service Program is a school wide program that builds a life-long sense of commitment to serving others.  In 2008-09, our students donated over 16,000 hours of their time to volunteer, an average of 41 hours per student. The annual Day of SHAring is our unique school-wide day of service.  In April, 500 plus members of the school community served at 50 sites throughout WNY volunteering a total of 2500 hours.
  • The Chamber Singers earned a Silver rating at the 2009 NYSSMA festival.  The ensemble also toured Toronto in March, performing at the Royal Ontario Museum and the Newman Centre (University of Toronto).  The Art Department hosted a Diversity Art Show with funding from BISSNET.

Facilities

  • Classes are housed in a beautiful, architecturally significant four-story main building, built in 1928.
  • Students enjoy a completely renovated Library/Media Center with rooms for distance learning, small group instruction, and study.  Laptops and wireless Internet access are available for student use, along with a fine print collection.
  • Two state-of-the-art science laboratories serve SHA’s Biology/Chemistry and Earth Science/Physics classes.
  • The computer lab features a new computer network with 1,000 mb processing speeds, a wireless Internet network, and computers for student use, including 21 newly purchased Hewlett Packard computers.  Additional technology includes classroom SmartBoards to fully integrate curriculum with advanced technology and information.
  • Clare Music Hall, adjacent to the main building, is home to SHA’s Music Department and features classrooms, teaching studios, practice rooms and a digital piano lab.
  • Chapel, adorned by a beautiful stained glass window of the Sacred Heart, is a place of quiet reflection to which students may retreat for prayer and meditation.
  • The Learning Center is a fully dedicated and equipped space to provide faculty and peer tutoring to all students requesting academic assistance.
  • The SHA auditorium seats 700 for Academy assemblies, liturgies, theatrical productions and other events.
  • SHA Hall is a complete workout center for physical education classes with treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, Nautilus machines and free weights.
  • The fully equipped SHA gymnasium is used for physical education classes and for athletic team practice and competitions.  In addition, SHA partners with several local schools and townships to obtain additional practice facilities for its athletic teams, including Clearfield Tennis Courts, Grover Cleveland Golf Course, the Pepsi Center, Thruway Lanes, University at Buffalo Rotary Field, and Villa Maria Athletic Center. 
  • The SHA cafeteria has seating for 200, with dining service provided by Personal Touch.